Author: Jeffrey C. Alexander Publisher: John Wiley & Sons ISBN: 0745655661 Category : Literary Criticism Languages : en Pages : 402
Book Description
Performativity has emerged as a critical new idea across the humanities and social sciences, from literary and cultural studies to the study of gender and the philosophy of action. In this volume, Jeffrey Alexander demonstrates how performance can reorient our study of politics and society. Alexander develops a cultural pragmatics that shifts cultural sociology from texts to gestural meanings. Positioning social performance between ritual and strategy, he lays out the elements of social performance - from scripts to mise-en-scène, from critical mediation to audience reception - and systematically describes their tense interrelation. This is followed by a series of empirically oriented studies that demonstrate how cultural pragmatics transforms our approach to power. Alexander brings his new theory of social performance to bear on case studies that range from political to cultural power: Barack Obama's electoral campaign, American failure in the Iraqi war, the triumph of the Civil Rights Movement, terrorist violence on September 11th, public intellectuals, material icons, and social science itself. This path-breaking work by one of the world's leading social theorists will command a wide interdisciplinary readership.
Author: Jim Kukunas Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann ISBN: 0128008148 Category : Computers Languages : en Pages : 300
Book Description
Power and Performance: Software Analysis and Optimization is a guide to solving performance problems in modern Linux systems. Power-efficient chips are no help if the software those chips run on is inefficient. Starting with the necessary architectural background as a foundation, the book demonstrates the proper usage of performance analysis tools in order to pinpoint the cause of performance problems, and includes best practices for handling common performance issues those tools identify. Provides expert perspective from a key member of Intel’s optimization team on how processors and memory systems influence performance Presents ideas to improve architectures running mobile, desktop, or enterprise platforms Demonstrates best practices for designing experiments and benchmarking throughout the software lifecycle Explains the importance of profiling and measurement to determine the source of performance issues
Author: Shirlee Emmons Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0199761787 Category : Music Languages : en Pages : 337
Book Description
To perform well in today's highly competitive world where technical skills have been advanced to an unprecedented degree, a singer must be able to handle incredible pressure within the performing arena; his or her ability to deal with this stress will often determine whether he or she will succeed. Why, then, do singers with less technical skill sometimes out-perform stars? Why do some stars suddenly stop performing? What is that mysterious factor that makes an electric performance? Consistent, competent performances do not depend solely upon superior vocal skills, nor are they a matter of luck. On the contrary, the best performances result from a combination of mental attitude, concrete performing skills, and excellent technical skills in that order. Yet most singers have never had the opportunity to acquire the essential skills that make for a successful career. Written as a self-help manual for singers at all levels of expertise, Power Performance for Singers is designed to teach performing artists, and especially singers, how to experience elite performance at their level. The skills outlined in this book will help singers use what they have, to enjoy their voices during performance, and to perform consistently to the best of their present ability.
Author: Sue-Ellen Case Publisher: University of Iowa Press ISBN: 1587290340 Category : Performing Arts Languages : en Pages : 306
Book Description
Recently in the field of theatre studies there has been an increasing amount of debate and dissonance regarding the borders of its territory, its methodologies, subject matter, and scholarly perspectives. The nature of this debate could be termed "political" and, in fact, concerns "the performance of power"—the struggle over power relations embedded in texts, methodologies, and the academy itself. This striking new collection of nineteen divergent essays represents this performance of power and the way in which the recent convergence of new critical theories with historical studies has politicized the study of the theatre. Neither play text, performance, nor scholarship and teaching can safely reside any longer in the "free," politically neutral, self-signifying realm of the aesthetic. Politicizing theatrical discourse means that both the hermeneutics and the histories of theatre reveal the role of ideology and power dynamics. New strategies and concepts—and a vital new phase of awareness—appear in these illuminating essays. A variety of historical periods, from the Renaissance through the Victorian and up to the most contemporary work of the Wooster group, illustrate the ways in which contemporary strategies do not require contemporary texts and performances but can combine with historical methods and subjects to produce new theatrical discourse.
Author: A B Gill Publisher: Elsevier ISBN: 1483100006 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 700
Book Description
Power Plant Performance discusses the different procedures and practices involved in the operation of power plants. The book is divided into four parts. Part I covers general considerations such as steam cycles; the sampling, analysis, and assessment of coal; and pumping – its related terms, the different types of pumps, and the determination of sizes and efficiency. Part II tackles the important measurements in power plants such as temperature, pressure, and gas and water flow. Part III deals with the operation of power plant components such as the boiler, turbine, and condensers. Part IV tackles other related topics such as steam turbine heat consumption tests; plant-operating parameters; and the costs of outages. The text is recommended for professionals involved in the development, maintenance, and operation of power plants, especially those who would like to be familiar with the basics.
Author: Peter Heller Publisher: Woodhead Publishing ISBN: 0081004486 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 298
Book Description
The Performance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Systems: Analysis, Measurement, and Assessment offers a unique overview of the information on the state-of-the-art of analysis, measurement, and assessment of the performance of concentrated solar power (CSP) components and systems in a comprehensive, compact, and complete manner. Following an introductory chapter to CSP systems and the fundamental principles of performance assessment, individual chapters explore the component performance of mirrors and receivers. Further expert-written chapters look at system performance assessment, durability testing, and solar resource forecasting for CSP systems. A final chapter gives an outlook on the actual methods and instruments for performance and durability assessment that are under development. The Performance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Systems: Analysis, Measurement, and Assessment is an essential reference text for research and development professionals and engineers working on concentrated solar power systems, as well as for postgraduate students studying CSP. Presents a unique, single literature source for a complete overview of the performance assessment tools and methods currently used for concentrated solar power (CSP) technology Written by a team of experts in the field of CSP Provides information on the state-of-the-art of modeling, measurement, and assessment of the performance of CSP components and systems in a comprehensive, compact, and complete manner
Author: Sandra E. Lamb Publisher: Ten Speed Press ISBN: 160774483X Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 258
Book Description
A comprehensive yet accessible handbook for writing and conducting meaningful, effective performance reviews, geared toward managers of all levels, from the author of How to Write It. Performance reviews are one of the best tools managers have to shape company talent and culture, develop strong channels of communication with employees, and create systemic change. However, the stress and struggle to find just the right words is often what managers and HR professionals dislike most about conducting employee evaluations. In this pithy, user-friendly handbook, author and writing teacher Sandra E. Lamb lays out the best methods and proven tactics to administer productive evaluations that benefit both parties—and the company. Lamb teaches managers how to design scoring systems for employees that track progress with hard data, how to best prepare for and conduct both in-person and written reviews, and the key words to use. Covering hard and soft skills, 3000 Power Words and Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews includes lists of powerful phrases and words that clearly describe performance—both positive and negative—including sections targeted to specific industries and jobs. This guide empowers managers at all levels to master the art of performance reviews that achieve results.
Author: Sandra M. Gustafson Publisher: UNC Press Books ISBN: 0807839140 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 316
Book Description
Oratory emerged as the first major form of verbal art in early America because, as John Quincy Adams observed in 1805, "eloquence was POWER." In this book, Sandra Gustafson examines the multiple traditions of sacred, diplomatic, and political speech that flourished in British America and the early republic from colonization through 1800. She demonstrates that, in the American crucible of cultures, contact and conflict among Europeans, native Americans, and Africans gave particular significance and complexity to the uses of the spoken word. Gustafson develops what she calls the performance semiotic of speech and text as a tool for comprehending the rich traditions of early American oratory. Embodied in the delivery of speeches, she argues, were complex projections of power and authenticity that were rooted in or challenged text-based claims of authority. Examining oratorical performances as varied as treaty negotiations between native and British Americans, the eloquence of evangelical women during the Great Awakening, and the founding fathers' debates over the Constitution, Gustafson explores how orators employed the shifting symbolism of speech and text to imbue their voices with power.
Author: Jeffrey C. Alexander
Author: Jim Kukunas
Author: Shirlee Emmons
Author: Sue-Ellen Case
Author: Irmtraud Krüger
Author: A B Gill
Author: Peter Heller
Author: Sandra E. Lamb
Author: Judith G. Kelley
Author: Sandra M. Gustafson